Wheezing in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different wheezing patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Wheezing is a common respiratory symptom characterized by a high-pitched, whistling sound during breathing. It occurs when the airways are constricted or obstructed, often as a result of inflammation or a buildup of mucus.
Wheezing can range from mild to severe and is often associated with conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and allergies. Persistent wheezing is a notable sub-symptom that requires medical attention to determine and address the underlying cause.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), wheezing is viewed as a sign of disharmony within the body's energy pathways or Qi. TCM practitioners believe that wheezing is often a result of an imbalance in the Lung and Kidney systems, with factors such as Phlegm, external pathogens, and Yin or Yang Deficiencies playing crucial roles. Unlike Western medicine, which typically focuses on the symptom, TCM aims to restore the overall balance of the body to alleviate wheezing.
TCM Patterns for Wheezing
Phlegm
Causes: Wheezing
Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs
Wheezing
Along with: Coughing, Pale face, Sputum, Stifling sensation in the chest, Shortness of breath, Discomfort when lying down, Nausea, Feeling of heaviness, Dizziness, Profuse white sputum, Asthma, Chest distension
Dry-Phlegm in the Lungs
Wheezing
Along with: Dry cough, Scanty sputum, Shortness of breath, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heaviness, Dizziness, Dry throat, Pale face
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
Wheezing
Along with: Coughing, Shortness of breath, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat, Thirst, Head and body heaviness, Dizziness, Copious thick yellow sputum
Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm
Wheezing
Along with: Coughing, Asthma, Edema, Stifling sensation in the chest, Dizziness, Profuse white sputum
Heat
Causes: Wheezing
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
Wheezing
Along with: Coughing, Shortness of breath, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat, Thirst, Head and body heaviness, Dizziness, Copious thick yellow sputum
Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire
Wheezing
Along with: Coughing with blood streaked sputum, Dry throat, Hot palms and soles, Night sweats, Chronic bronchitis, Chronic pharyngitis, Spontaneous pneumothorax, Cor pulmonale, Silicosis, Pulmonary tuberculosis
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Wheezing
Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire
Wheezing
Along with: Coughing with blood streaked sputum, Dry throat, Hot palms and soles, Night sweats, Chronic bronchitis, Chronic pharyngitis, Spontaneous pneumothorax, Cor pulmonale, Silicosis, Pulmonary tuberculosis
Yang Deficiency
Causes: Wheezing
Lung Yang Deficiency
Wheezing
Along with: Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Cold extremities, Spontaneous sweat, Frequent colds or flu, Pale face, Generalized fatigue, Shortness of breath, Absence of thirst, Weak voice
Dampness
Causes: Wheezing
Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs
Wheezing
Along with: Coughing, Pale face, Sputum, Stifling sensation in the chest, Shortness of breath, Discomfort when lying down, Nausea, Feeling of heaviness, Dizziness, Profuse white sputum, Asthma, Chest distension
Dryness
Causes: Wheezing
Dry-Phlegm in the Lungs
Wheezing
Along with: Dry cough, Scanty sputum, Shortness of breath, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heaviness, Dizziness, Dry throat, Pale face
Herbal Formulas for Wheezing
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address wheezing
Er Chen Tang
Addresses these wheezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm
- Regulates Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner (Stomach and Spleen)
Addresses These Wheezing Pattern Variations
Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Wheezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Pale face, Sputum, Stifling sensation in the chest, Shortness of breath, Discomfort when lying down...
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Wheezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Shortness of breath, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat, Thirst...
Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Addresses these wheezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin
- Moistens the Lung
- Transfers Phlegm
- Clears Heat
- Reliefs Cough
Addresses These Wheezing Pattern Variations
Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire
How it manifests:
Wheezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing with blood streaked sputum, Dry throat, Hot palms and soles, Night sweats, Chronic bronchitis, Chronic pharyngitis...
Bei Mu Gua Lou San
Addresses these wheezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Moistens the Lungs
- Clears Heat
- Regulates Qi
- Resolve Phlegm
- Stop coughing
Addresses These Wheezing Pattern Variations
Dry-Phlegm in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Wheezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Dry cough, Scanty sputum, Shortness of breath, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heaviness...
Wen Dan Tang
Addresses these wheezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Wheezing Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Wheezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Shortness of breath, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat, Thirst...
Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan
Addresses these wheezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Transforms Phlegm
- Directs Rebellious Qi downwards
- Stops coughing
Addresses These Wheezing Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Wheezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Shortness of breath, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat, Thirst...
Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang
Addresses these wheezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Lung Qi
- Clears Heat
- Calms wheezing by directing rebellious Qi downward
Addresses These Wheezing Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Wheezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Shortness of breath, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat, Thirst...
Qing Xin Li Ge Tang
Addresses these wheezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Toxic-Heat
- Unblocks the stool
- Benefits the throat
Addresses These Wheezing Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Wheezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Shortness of breath, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat, Thirst...
Ren Shen Ge Jie San
Addresses these wheezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Qi
- Augments the Kidneys
- Stops coughing
- Arrests wheezing
Addresses These Wheezing Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Wheezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Shortness of breath, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat, Thirst...
Pi Pa Qing Fei Yin
Addresses these wheezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Lung Heat
- Cools the Blood
- Clears Dampness
- Invigorates the Blood
Addresses These Wheezing Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Wheezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Shortness of breath, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat, Thirst...
Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang
Addresses these wheezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Lungs
- Strengthens the Stomach
Addresses These Wheezing Pattern Variations
Lung Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Wheezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Cold extremities, Spontaneous sweat, Frequent colds or flu, Pale face, Generalized fatigue...
Xiao Qing Long Tang
Addresses these wheezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Transforms Phlegm-Fluids
- Warms the Lungs
- Directs Rebellious Qi downward
Addresses These Wheezing Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm
How it manifests:
Wheezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Asthma, Edema, Stifling sensation in the chest, Dizziness, Profuse white sputum
Si Jun Zi Tang
Addresses these wheezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
Addresses These Wheezing Pattern Variations
Lung Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Wheezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Cold extremities, Spontaneous sweat, Frequent colds or flu, Pale face, Generalized fatigue...
Sheng Mai San
Addresses these wheezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Augments Qi
- Supplies the Yin
- Stops excessive sweating
- Generates Body Fluids
Addresses These Wheezing Pattern Variations
Lung Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Wheezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Cold extremities, Spontaneous sweat, Frequent colds or flu, Pale face, Generalized fatigue...